Vortex Flowmeter

Abstract

A vortex flowmeter configured for ease of installation in a pipe, having a shedder bar which enters the pipe through a hole and has its distal end constrained by direct or indirect frictional contact with the opposite wall of the pipe.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A vortex flowmeter, comprising:
 a vortex-generating bar that is configured to be inserted into a pipe through a hole in a first wall of the pipe and span the pipe, and comprises a distal end that makes direct or indirect contact with a second pipe wall that is opposite the first wall of the pipe; and   an anchoring structure located outside of the pipe and that is mechanically coupled to the vortex-generating bar and configured to hold the vortex-generating bar in the pipe.   
     
     
         2 . The vortex flowmeter of  claim 1 , further comprising an elastomeric member located between the distal end of the vortex-generating bar and the opposite wall of the pipe, to damp vibrations of the vortex-generating bar. 
     
     
         3 . The vortex flowmeter of  claim 1 , wherein the anchoring structure comprises a split ring. 
     
     
         4 . The vortex flowmeter of  claim 3 , wherein the split ring encircles the pipe. 
     
     
         5 . The vortex flowmeter of  claim 3 , further comprising a gasket between the split ring and the pipe. 
     
     
         6 . The vortex flowmeter of  claim 1 , wherein the anchoring structure is internally threaded. 
     
     
         7 . The vortex flowmeter of  claim 6 , wherein the vortex-generating bar is threaded and is configured to engage the anchoring structure threads, to allow for adjustment of the depth of insertion of the vortex-generating bar in the pipe. 
     
     
         8 . The vortex flowmeter of  claim 7 , further comprising an o-ring seal between the vortex-generating bar and the anchoring structure, to inhibit leakage of fluid from the pipe. 
     
     
         9 . The vortex flowmeter of  claim 8 , further comprising an electronics enclosure carried by the anchoring structure. 
     
     
         10 . The vortex flowmeter of  claim 9 , wherein the electronics enclosure comprises a base that is coupled to the anchoring structure and is separable from an upper portion. 
     
     
         11 . The vortex flowmeter of  claim 10 , wherein the upper portion of the electronics enclosure is configured to be rotated along with the vortex-generating bar. 
     
     
         12 . The vortex flowmeter of  claim 1 , wherein the pipe contains a flowing fluid with an overall direction of flow, and wherein the vortex-generating bar comprises a transverse hole through the vortex-generating bar. 
     
     
         13 . The vortex flowmeter of  claim 12 , further comprising a sensing vane in the transverse hole through the vortex-generating bar. 
     
     
         14 . A vortex flowmeter comprising:
 a vortex-generating bar that is configured to be inserted into a pipe through a hole in a first wall of the pipe and span the pipe, and comprises a distal end that makes direct or indirect contact with a second pipe wall that is opposite the first wall of the pipe, wherein the pipe contains a flowing fluid with an overall direction of flow, and wherein the vortex-generating bar comprises a transverse hole through the vortex-generating bar and a sensing vane in the transverse hole;   an elastomeric member located between the distal end of the vortex-generating bar and the opposite wall of the pipe, to damp vibrations of the vortex-generating bar;   an internally-threaded split ring located outside of the pipe and encircling the pipe, wherein the split ring is mechanically coupled to the vortex-generating bar and configured to hold the vortex-generating bar in the pipe, and further comprising an o-ring seal between the vortex-generating bar and the split ring, to inhibit leakage of fluid from the pipe; and   a gasket between the split ring and the pipe.   wherein the vortex-generating bar is threaded and is configured to engage the split ring threads, to allow for adjustment of the depth of insertion of the vortex-generating bar in the pipe.   
     
     
         15 . The vortex flowmeter of  claim 14 , further comprising an electronics enclosure carried by the split ring. 
     
     
         16 . The vortex flowmeter of  claim 15 , wherein the electronics enclosure comprises a base that is coupled to the split ring and is separable from an upper portion. 
     
     
         17 . The vortex flowmeter of  claim 16 , wherein the upper portion of the electronics enclosure is configured to be rotated along with the vortex-generating bar.